Tapping device for beer kegs and the like

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a tapping device for beer kegs and the like including a keg adapter inserted into the keg opening from without the keg for semipermanent securement within the keg opening and a coupler releasably secured to the adapter. The adapter includes segregated liquid and gas passages and liquid and gas valves in the respective passages. Valve-actuating members extend within a central chamber opening outwardly of the keg adapter. The coupler includes segregated liquid and gas passages and a depending probe for displacing the valve-actuating members and thereby opening the liquid and gas valves whereby gas under pressure is communicated into the keg and liquid is withdrawn therefrom. The coupler further includes an automatic gas shutoff valve.

United States Patent Inventor Mack S. Johnston Rolling Hills, Calii.

Appl. No 19,626

Filed Mar. 16, 1970 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee Republic CorporationLos Angeles, Calif.

Continuation-impart of 814,883,

Mar. 26, 1969, now Patent No. 3,563,424. This application Mar. 16, 1970,Ser. No. 19,626

TAPPING DEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE Primary Examiner-Stanley H.Tollberg Attorney-Le Blane & Shur ABSTRACT: Disclosed is a tappingdevice for beer kegs and the like including a keg adapter inserted intothe keg opening from without the keg for semipermanent securement withinthe keg opening and a coupler releasably secured to the adapter. Theadapter includes segregated liquid and gas passages and liquid and gasvalves in the respective passages. Valve-actuating members extend withina central chamber opening outwardly of the keg adapter. The couplerincludes segregated liquid and gas passages and a depending probe fordisplacing the valve-actuating members and thereby opening the liquidand gas valves whereby gas under pressure is communicated into the kegand liquid is withdrawn therefrom The coupler further includes anautomatic gas shutoff valve.

PATENTEU JAN 4:972

STTET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR MACK S JOHNSTON ATTORNEYS PATENTED Jm 4 I972 SHEET2 BF 4 INVENTOR MACK S. JOHNSTON ATTORNEYS PATENTEU m 4 E72 SHEET 3 OF 4INVENTOR MAEK S. JOHNSTON BY 660mm 34% ATTORNEYS PATENTEUJAH M9723,632,023

SHEET u 0F 4 INVENTOR MACK S. JOHNSTON BY fi/EQQM SM ATTORNEYS TAPPINGDEVICE FOR BEER KEGS AND THE LIKE This application is acontinuation-in-part of copending applications Ser. No. 815,542 filedApr. 14, 1969 and Ser. No. 814,883 filed Mar. 26, 1969 (now U.S. Pat.No. 3,563,424); application Ser. No. 815,540 (now U.S. Pat. No.3,552,077) being a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 676,291filed Oct. 18, 1967 (now abandoned) and application Ser. No. 814,883being a continuation of application Ser. No. 676,291; said applicationSer. No. 676,291, filed Oct. 18, 1967, being a continuation-in-part ofcopending application, Ser. No. 611,610, filed Jan. 25, 1967 (issuedNov. 12, 1968 as U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,410,458); which is, in turn, acontinuationin-part of copending application, Ser. No. 587,627 filedOct. 18, 1966 (issued Jan. 14, 1969 as U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,422,448);said application Ser. No. 587,627 being, in turn, a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 406,682 (now abandoned) filed Oct. 27, 1964;application Ser. No. 815,542 being also a continuation-in-part ofcopending application Ser. No. 502,092 filed Oct. 22, 1965 (issued Apr.22, 1969 as U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,439,884); which in turn, is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 406,682 (now abandoned)filed Oct. 27, 1964; said application, Ser. No. 406,682 being acontinuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 395,084 (issued Jan. 25,1966 as U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,231,154) filed Sept. 8, 1964 andapplication Ser. No. 150,982 (now abandoned) filed Nov. 8, 1961; saidapplication Ser. No. 395,084 being, in turn, a continuation of saidapplication Ser. No. 150,982.

The present invention relates to a new improved tapping device fordrawing fluid such as beer from containers such a beer kegs or barrels,using a gas to drive the fluid from the container, the tapping deviceincluding a keg adapter semipermanently installed in the keg opening atthe brewery to seal the keg and a coupler which is releasably secured tothe keg adapter at a beer-dispensing establishment wherein the couplerand keg adapter have communicating gas and liquid passages for admittinggas under pressure into the keg and driving the beer from the keg. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a new improved kegadapter for use with conventional beer kegs having standardthree-quarter inch diameter openings and wherein the keg adapter isinserted into the keg opening from without the keg, the keg adapterhaving novel enlarged liquid and gas passages for improved series keginstallations and the coupler therefor having a novel automatic gasshutoff valve.

The majority of the beer kegs in use in the United States at the presenttime have a three-quarter inch diameter beer dispensing opening in thetop wall of the keg and are designed to receive a tapping unit connectedto the keg by means of a bayonet-type coupler. Commonly, the keg istapped by knocking in a bung sealingly engaged within the keg openingand inserting an elongated tap rod with an associated siphon device fordrawing the beer from the keg, the latter being fastened to the keg bymeans of the bayonet-type connection. These siphon devices include meansfor injecting gas or air under pressure through the tap rod into keg andto drive the beer up through the siphon. External valves for controllingthe flow of gas into the keg and the beer from the keg are alsoconventionally employed.

Modem-tapping units have replaced the bung in the top of the keg with akeg unit or adapter which serves to seal the keg opening until tappedand carries liquid and gas passages for respectively transferring gasfrom the outside to the inside of the keg and liquid from the inside tothe outside of the keg. Normally closed liquid and gas valves aredisposed in the respective liquid and gas passages. It is generallydesirable to install the keg adapter in the keg opening from outside thekeg. It will thus be appreciated that the keg adapter body housing thevalving apparatus and passages must be constructed as to be receivablewithin the three-quarter inch diameter opening. A number of variouslyconstructed keg units have been proposed. Most however, do not take intoaccount the facts of life concerning the dispensing of a qualitybeverage particularly where beer is dispensed and this constitutes afurther constraint, in addition to the limitation imposed by the use ofthe keg opening, limiting the design of keg adapters, particularly thearrangement of the beer and gas valves and the size of the passages inthe keg adapter. For example, beer unlike any other liquids, must behandled with extreme care lest it lose those qualities such as taste,proper head and foam, and freedom from cloudiness, which the publicdemands. Thus, if the flow path from the keg to the dispensing apparatusis too tortuous or contorted or if there is too large a pressure dropacross the tapping device caused by a restricted flow path, the beerwill become flat or wild, i.e., too much foam. Thus, the valves andpassages in the keg adapter must be specially constructed to avoid theforegoing problems and yet must be disposed in a keg adapter receivablein the small keg opening from without the keg while simultaneouslyensuring the drawing of quality beer at a proper flow rate.

Furthermore, a keg adapter should not only be designed for successfultapping of a single keg to provide the desired flow rate and quality ofthe beer, but is has also been found desirable, particularly in manylarge beer-dispensing establishments to provide kegs connected in serieswherein a plurality of kegs are behind and dispense beer to a singlefaucet. In such installations, the tapping device in the first keg isconnected to the gas source in the usual fashion. The beer outletthrough the first tapping device is connected through suitable hosing towhat would normally be the gas inlet on the tapping device in the nextserially connected keg. Similarly, the beer outlet from the secondtapping device or keg would likewise be connected by suitable hosing towhat would normally be the gas inlet passage in the tapping deviceassociated with the third serially connected keg. This type of hookupwould be provided for all the serially connected kegs with the beeroutlet of the tapping device associated with the last keg beingconnected to the dispensing faucet. It will thus be seen that the gasunder pressure drives the beer from the first keg into the second kegwith the beer in the second keg being driven into the third keg and soon with the beer in each keg being delivered to succeeding kegs untilthe beer is wholly dispensed through the faucet and all the kegs areempty. The passages as well as the associated valves therein in each ofthe tapping units must accordingly be designed as to accommodate theflow of both gas and beer. The flow through these passages must not besuch as to diminish either the equality or the flow rate of the beerdispensed. [t has been found where conventional tapping devices havebeen employed in kegs connected in series that the cumulative effect ofrestrictions in the flow passages diminishes the flow rate of the beerto undesirable levels also diminishing the quality of the beer. This hasbeen found to be particularly true where more than three kegs areconnected in series.

A further problem associated with keg adapters of the type discussed isthe possibility of the beer spitting when the coupler is initiallyapplied to the keg adapter but prior to its final securement. Forexample, the coupler usually has a depending probe which opens the beervalve prior to final securement and hence sealing of the coupler to theadapter. Since the pressure in the keg normally exceeds the externalpressure, beer will tend to flow through the partially opened beer valveand spit out of the keg between the coupler and adapter be fore finalsecurement and a seal therebetween is accomplished. Surging of the beerin the gas passages when the keg pressure exceeds the gas supplypressure is another undesirable characteristic of keg adapters of thistype. In either case, beer enters undesirably into the gas passages,resulting in dried beer and yeast accumulations resulting in bacterialformations.

Another important problem in the use of keg adapters and couplers of theforegoing described type resides in the accessibility of the gasline tothe ingress of dirt and other contaminants when the coupler lies indisassembled relation from the keg adapter. Concomitantly, it has beenfound desirable to provide a gas shutoff valve at the keg, particularlyan automatically actuated gas shutoff valve, rather than at the sourceof gas pressure. In most beer-dispensing establishments the source ofgas under pressure is located at a position remote from the kegs and itis necessary before uncoupling one keg from the beer line and connectinganother fresh keg to the beer line to shut off the gas under pressure atthe source which may be in another room or indeed another floor. Thus,by applying an automatic gas shutoff valve in conjunction with thecoupler, the gasline is sealed from contaminants when the coupler isuncoupled from the keg adapter. Moreover, by the coupling action, thegas supply is automatically cutofi from the coupler without thenecessity of first shutting the gas supply off at its gas source.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea novel, improved tapping device for liquids and the like havingimproved liquid and gas passages and valves therefor.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelimproved beer tapping device having enlarged liquid and gas passageways.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel,improved tapping device usable with a large number of kegs connected inseries to s dispensing faucet wherein the rate of flow of beer throughthe faucet is not substantially diminished and is substantially the sameas the rate of flow of beer through a faucet connected to asingle-pressurized keg utilizing the tapping device hereof. A relatedobject of the present invention is the provision of enlarged liquid andgas passages wherein the cumulative effect of restrictions in thepassages does not deleteriously afiect the quality or the rate of flowof beer through the dispensing faucet in series installation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel,improved keg adapter for use with kegs of the type having athree-quarter inch tapping opening and wherein the keg adapter includesliquid and gas valve actuators movable to open the respective liquid andgas valves in response to insertion of the probe on the coupler into thekeg.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anovel, improved coupler having an integrally contained automatic gasshutoff valve.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a novel,improved keg tapping device comprised of a substantially all metalconstruction, and which is inexpensively constructcd, easy to install,rugged in use, and reliable in operatron.

These and further objects and advantage of the present invention willbecome more apparent upon reference to the following specification,appended claims and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a beer keg and a tapping devicetherefor constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view thereof taken generally about on linelA-lA in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of parts forming the keg adapterof the tapping device hereof;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the keg adapter and couplerhereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the keg adapter and coupler takenabout on line 44 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken about on line 55 in FIG.8;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view thereof taken about on line 6--6 inFIG. 8;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view thereof takenabout on line 7 --7 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the keg adapter and coupler thereforwhen fully installed in the keg; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration representing a plurality of kegsconnected in series one to the other.

Referring now to FIG. I, there is illustrated a conventional beer keg 10having an opening 12 in its top wall 14 which receives the keg tappingdevice hereof including a keg adapter A, the adapter beingsemiperrnanently installed in the keg 10 at the brewery. A dispensercoupler unit B forming a part of the keg tapping device thereof may bereadily connected with keg adapter A at the beer-dispensingestablishment to form a complete tapping assembly as hereinafteramplified. Briefly, coupler unit B has a gas inlet port 16 adapted toreceive a coupler 18 attached to the end of a gas supply hose 20 which,in turn, communicates with a source of gas or air under pressureindicated at 22. If desired, a valve 24 may be placed in the hose 20 sothat the gas or air pressure may be controlled at the location of thekeg 10. The coupler B has a beer exit fitting 26 attachable to the endof a flexible hose 28 by means of which beer is supplied from keg 10 toa dispensing faucet 30. The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is merely forthe purpose of illustrating the usage of the present invention and thecomponents thereof other than the tapping device comprising keg adapterA and coupler unit B are conventional and do not comprise any part ofthe present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a keg adapter A securedwithin the opening 12 of keg l0. Keg opening 12 comprises a standardthree-quarter inch diameter opening which is common to the standardso-called Peerless-type beer keg and includes an annular keg neck 34having an outwardly projecting flange 36 adjacent its upper end. Kegadapter A includes a cylindrical housing or body 38 adapted to bereceived within keg opening 12 from without the keg and having anoutwardly directed flange 40 about its upper end. Housing 38 includes aninner body member 44, preferably formed of stainless steel bar stock,and enclosed in final assembly, within a outer sleeve 46. The upperportion of body 44 includes a central chamber 47 opening outwardlythrough the outer and of keg adapter A, chamber 47 being coaxial withbody 38. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, body 44 is provided with apair of circumferentially spaced axially extending arcuate grooves orcutouts extending inwardly from the annular slot 48 toward the inner endof body 44. As seen in FIG. 5, the circumferential segment 54 betweengrooves 52 is also cutaway.

A pair of bores 56 and 58 are provided in the inner end of body 44 andextend generally parallel to the axis of body 44 at radially ofi'setpositions. As seen in FIG. 3, bore 56 opens at its upper or outer endinto the lower end of central chamber 47. Bore 58 is counterbored at 60and has a reduced diameter portion 62 adjacent its upper end and whichopens into chamber 47. Sleeve 46 encompasses body 44 and a portion ofthe gas passage through adapter A is provided via openings 50, annularslot 48, the openings between grooves 52 and sleeve 46 and a sideopening 64 into bore 58 formed through body 44 adjacent its inner endbetween grooves 52.

A gas valve, generally indicated 69, is provided within bore 58 andcomprises an annular member 70 received within the lower end of bore 58.Member 70 has a chamfered surface 72 forming an annular valve seat. Avalve stem 74 is received within bore 58 and includes a lower valvemember 76 mounting an O-ring 78 for sealing engagement about valve seat72. Stem 74 also includes an upper valve member 80 mounting a O-ringseal 82 for engagement within the reduced diameter portion 62 of bore58. The upper end of stem 74 extends within chamber 74 and a least aportion of it lies inset form the walls of chamber 47 for reasons aswill be described hereinafter. Annular member 70 is preferably brazedwithin the lower end of body 44 and a sleeve 84 is preferably similarlysecured to and extends from the lower end of member 70. The lower end ofsleeve 84 includes an enlarged diameter portion 86 and an annular groovefor receiving a circlip 88 which forms a seat for the lower end ofspring 90. The upper end of spring 90 engages about the lower end ofstem 74 to bias the stem outwardly to seat O-ring seal 78 against valveseat 72. The enlarged diameter lower end of sleeve 84 receives the upperend of a flexible, preferably plastic check valve 92. Valve 92 includesan elongated flexible tubular envelope closed at its lower end andhaving an upper annular portion receivable within the enlarged diameterportion of sleeve 84. A split ring clip 94 retains the upper portion ofvalve 92 within sleeve 84. Suitable epoxy may also be applied in orderto ensure an effective seal. The lower portion of valve 29 issubstantially D shaped in cross section with the outer arcuate wallcontaining a longitudinally extending slit 96. A slit 98 may also beprovided in the flat rear wall of valve 92 as well as in its lower endas desired. With the foregoing check valve construction, gas or air fromthe pressure source passes through the passage portion previouslydescribed, past the O-ring 78 of the valve stem 74 (the stem 74 beingdepressed to open valve 69 in a manner to be described), through sleeve84 and into the envelope 92 for ingress into the keg through the slits96 and 98, the pressure of the gas or air moving the edges of the slitsapart to provide an opening. Should the keg pressure exceed the pressureof the incoming gas or air the excessive keg pressure will cause theedges of the one or more slits to bear against one another precludingreverse flow of gas or air or beer from the keg into the gas passages ofthe keg adapter.

The keg adapter is also provided with a through liquid passage fortransmitting liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg.Particularly, the lower portion of body 44 is counterbored at 100 toreceive the upper end of a tube 102, furnace brazing of tube 102 to body44 being preferable. The upper end of a tubular housing 106 is receivedabout and preferably furnace brazed to the lower end of tube 102. Thelower end of tubular housing 106 is internally threaded as at 108 toreceive the externally threaded portion 110 of a locking nut 112. Theupper end of a siphon tube 114 is received within an enlarged diameterportion of nut 112 adjacent its lower end and is preferably furnacebrazed thereto. A suitable epoxy is preferably provided about thisjuncture as well as the joint between the upper end of housing 106 andtube 102 as to insure an effective fluidtight seal.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1A, siphon tube 114 extends from kegadapter A at a diverging angle with respect to the central axis of thekeg toward the side and bottom of the keg to avoid interference withkeg-filling equipment (not shown) which is inserted at the brewerythrough the opening to fill the keg. Siphon tube 114 also angleslaterally, as indicated at 116, to locate its lower flared end 118within the circumferential groove or chime about the juncture of thebottom and sidewalls of the keg. The flared end 118 is located withinthe lower chime to afford draining of substantially the entire fluidcontents of the keg notwithstanding the high pressures within the kegwhich slightly elongate the keg in an axial direction. For example, ifthe lower end of the siphon tube was located in the central portion ofthe dished bottom keg wall and the keg elongated in response to highpressures, it would be raised slightly from the bottom wall therebyprecluding draining the keg in its entire reel. Inasmuch as the groovedportions about the bottom keg wall are not subject to slight elongationdue to excessive pressures, the flared lower end 118 of the siphon tube114 remains in the lowermost portion of the keg whereby substantiallyall of the contents of the keg can be siphoned.

A liquid valve generally indicated at 99, is provided in the liquidpassage formed by siphon tub 114, housing 106, tube 102 and chamber 47.Valve 99 includes an elongated tubular sleeve 120 disposed within tube102 with its upper end terminating at least in part within thecylindrical confines and outwardly of the inner end of chamber 47 forpurposes as will become clear. A plurality of openings 122 are providedthrough the upper end of sleeve 120 to form an enlarged liquid passagebetween sleeve 120 and chamber 47. A plurality of recesses 124 areformed through the lower end walls of sleeve 120 and a valve body 126 issuitably secured to the inner end of sleeve 120 as by a plurality ofspot welds. Valve body 126 includes a generally cylindrical memberhaving a pair of axially spaced flanges 128 and 130, flange 128 having areduced diameter for reception in the smaller diameter opening throughthe outer end of housing 106. An O-ring seal 132 is disposed about valvebody 126 between flanges 128 and 130, and, when the valve is closed,seats against the upper bevelled wall surface 134 of housing 106, toform an effective fluid seal thereabout. It will be appreciated that thediameter of the flange 130 is larger than the diameter of tube 102. Thevalve is maintained in a normally sealed position as illustrated in FIG.3 by a coiled spring 136, the upper end of which encircles a lower stemportion 138 of valve body 126 in engagement against the underside offlange 130. The lower end of coil spring 136 seats about a shoulderformed within a enlarged diameter portion 140 of nut 112. It will beappreciated that axial inward movement of sleeve 120 and valve body 126displaces O-ring seal 132 away from seat 134 against the bias of coilspring 136 thereby providing a through fluid passage from the interiorto the exterior of the keg through siphon tube 114, nut 112, housing106, past the open valve through openings 124 into sleeve 120, outwardlythrough the end opening and side opening 122 of sleeve 120 and intochamber 47.

To install the keg adapter A within keg opening 12, the siphon tube 114and adapter body 38 are inserted into opening 12 until flange 40 restson keg flange 36. An externally threaded collar 142 is clamped overflange 40 of keg adapter A to retain the latter, in cooperation with alocking ring 144, secured within the keg opening. The securing meansincluding collar 142 and ring 144 is disclosed in my US. Pat. No.3,422,448 issued Jan. l4, 1969; the disclosure of which is hereinincorporated by reference thereto as though full set forth herein. Asmore fully described in that patent, ring 144 includes a thin wallsection having inwardly and upwardly projecting diametrically oppositetabs 146 formed on its inner periphery. Ring 144 is snapped over flange36 as to rest on top of the keg with the tabs extending upwardly. Collar142 is then placed over the upper end of the adapter and threaded aboutring 144 whereby ring 144 is drawn up within the lower inside portion ofcollar 142 until the upper ends of tabs 146 engage the underside of kegflange 36. Thus, when collar 142 and ring 144 are assembled, theycooperate with the keg flange to securely lock the keg adapter A withinopening 12 to prevent longitudinal or rotational movement of the unit Arelative to the keg opening and seal the keg adapter A about the kegflange 36 by O-ring seal 42.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 8, coupler unit B comprises a generallycylindrical head having a central vertically extending bore 172 and atubular arm 174 projecting from one side of head 172 and having acentral passage 176 constituting the air inlet port 16. As will berecalled, arm 174 is adapted to receive the end of a piece of tubing forconnecting coupler unit B to a tank of pressurized gas or air such astank 22 illustrated in FIG. 1. Coupler unit B also includes a generallytubular probe 178 which is located within bore 172 and which has acentral bore 180 that forms the liquid passageway through the couplerunit. The exterior of probe 178 which is located within bore 172 andwhich has a central bore 180 that forms the liquid passageway throughthe coupler unit. The exterior of probe 178 adjacent its lower end isprovided with grooves for receiving respective O-ring seals 182 and 184which may be of neoprene rubber. The upper end of probe 178 has anoutwardly extending flange 186 receivable within a counterbored portion188 of head 170 whereby, when probe 178 is positioned within head 170,its upper end is aligned with the top of head 170 as illustrated in FIG.8. Probe 178 is also provided with an O-ring seal 190 for sealingbetween the probe and head 170 adjacent the upper end of the probe,O-ring seal 190 being disposed between an enlarged diameter portion 192of probe 178 and a washer 194. An annular member 196 is secured aboutthe slightly enlarged lower end of head 170 by an snapring 198 andretains a collar 200 rotatably mounted on coupler head B between arm 174and snapring 196. Collar 200 has a plurality of handle portions fonnedintegrally therewith and is internally threaded as at 202 forcooperation with the externally threaded portion of collar 142 forsecuring coupler unit B to the keg adapter A.

A significant feature of the present invention is the provision of anautomatic gas shutoff valve in the coupler whereby the gasline isautomatically opened when the coupler is assembled with keg adapter A,and automatically sealed when the coupler is disassembled from kegadapter A. To this end, there is provided a sleeve 210 within bore 172,encompassing probe 178, the lower end of sleeve 210 terminating in apair of circumferentially spaced downwardly projecting lugs 212. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, a pair of O-ring seals 214 and 216 are axiallyspaced along sleeves 210 for sealing engagement about the bore 172.Sleeve 210 is normally biased into the position illustrated in FIG. 3 bya coiled spring 218, the upper end of which bears against the undersideof washer 194. The lower end of spring 218 bears against the upper endof sleeve 210. Sleeve 210 is retained within coupler unit A by the upperO- ring seal 182 which precludes passage of sleeve 210 downwardly beyondO-ring seal 182. It will be appreciated that, in the position of sleeve210 as illustrated in FIG. 3, seals 214 and 216 seal about bore 172 onopposite sides of bore 176 in gas inlet are 174 precluding passage ofgas or air in either direction within bore 172. Referring to FIG. 8, itwill be appreciated that, when sleeve 210 is displaced upwardly relativeto probe 178, the lower O-ring seal 216 about sleeve 210 is disposedabove bore 176 to permit ingress of gas through passage 176 into theannular passage defined between bore 172 and a lower reduced diameterportion 217 of sleeve 210.

In use, keg adapter A is secure within the keg opening 12 at the breweryin the manner described previously. it will be noted that, prior totapping, liquid valve 99 and gas valve 69 and 92 seal the respectiveliquid and gas passages through keg adapter A and the O-ring seal 42seals between adapter A and flange 36. IT will also be appreciated thatthe gas check valve 92 precludes entry of gas or beer into the gaspassage through the keg adapter. When the keg is located at thedispensing establishment and is to be tapped, coupler unit B is alignedover the keg such that the lower end of probe 178 engages within theupper end of central chamber 47 with the lower seal 184 initiallysealing between probe 178 and chamber 47. The lower end of probe 178also engages the upper ends of both the sleeve 120 and stem 74 uponfurther inward displacement of the coupler unit B toward keg adapter A.Further displacement of probe 178 toward keg adapter A displaces sleeve120 and stem 74 inwardly causing the respective O-ring seals 132 and 78to be displaced inwardly from their respective valve seats. Downwardmovement of coupler B relative to adapter A caused by the threadingaction of collar 200 about adapter collar 142 causes the lower end ofprobe 178 to fully open the liquid and positive gas valves 99 and 69respectively. Thus, the inward displacement of sleeve 120 by probe 178locates O- ring seal 132 inwardly of seat 134 to provide a through beerpassage from the keg through siphon tube 114, housing 106, about O-ringseal 132; through openings 124 into sleeve 120; through sleeve 120 andthrough the open end of sleeve 120 and openings 122 into chamber 47; andthen through the central bore 180 of probe 178 for dispensing at faucetvia beer lien 28.

Turning now to the gas passages, when coupler unit B initially engagesadapter A, the lower ends of lugs 212 also engage the upper face offlange 40. Continuous displacement of coupler B toward keg adapter A bythe threading action of collar 200 about collar 142, provides for inwardmovement of head 170 relative to probe 178 to thereby locate the passage176 inwardly of the innermost O-ring seal 216 about probe 178 permittingingress of gas through passage 176 into the annular passage definedbetween sleeves 210 and bore portion 217 and into the openings 50 in thekeg adapter flange. An ring seal 220 is provided about the lower end ofhead 170 to seal against the face of keg adapter A outwardly of openings50 when coupler B is finally secured to adapter A. Note that O-ring seal182 and 184 maintain the beer and gas passages segregated one from theother at this juncture and that, with gas valve 69 open, O-ring 82 sealsbetween the chamber 47 which forms a part of the liquid passage and bore58 which forms a part of the gas passage. When the coupler unit is thusfinally secured to adapter A, it will be appreciated that there isprovided a gas pressure into the keg including passage 176, the annularpassage between sleeve 210 and bore 172, openings 50, the annular slot48, the passages defined between grooves 52, 54 and the outer sleeve 46,the opening 64 into bore 58, through member 70 past the open valve,through sleeve 84, into flexible gas check valve 92, and through theslits 96 and 98 into the keg. When the coupler unit B is finally securedto the keg adapter A with the latter in sealing engagement against thekeg flange 40, the valves 99 and 69 are maintained in their fully openpositions as illustrated in FIG. 8. The gas flows through the previouslydescribed gas passages into the gas check valve 92 and outwardly intothe keg through the slits 96 and 98 when the gas inlet pressure exceedsthe keg pressure. The gas admitted into the keg under pressure drivesthe beer upwardly through the previously described liquid passages tothe faucet 30.

It will be appreciated that spitting of beer when the keg is initiallytapped is prevented by the unique assembly hereof since O-ring 184 sealsthe liquid passage between the coupler and adapter even as the former issecured to the latter. Particularly, prior to the engagement between thelower end of the probe and the upper end of sleeve to open the beervalve, O-ring seal 184 engages within chamber 47 to prevent beer leakageabout the probe when the coupler is being threaded down about theadapter and the sleeve 120 is being displaced inwardly to open theliquid valve. Note also that the gas check valve maintains the gaspassage closed throughout the entire coupling operation. It will befurther appreciated that upon uncoupling of the coupler B from kegadapter A, coil spring 218 displaces sleeve 210 in an axial directionrelative to probe 178 to locate sealing rings 214 and 216 on oppositesides of passage 176 in bore 172. Thus, the gas is automatically shutoffat the coupler upon disassembly of the coupler from the keg adapter.

Moreover, by the present construction, there are provided improved andenlarged beer and gas passages through the keg adapter and coupler topermit utilization of series connected kegs. Referring to FIG. 9, thereis illustrated a plurality of kegs 10 each employing a tapping unitconstructed in accordance with the present invention. A gas pressure 22source is coupled to the first keg 10a and a beer line 28a connects thebeer outlet from leg 10a with what would normally be the gas inlet porton the tapping device of keg 10b. Keg 10b is similarly connected to keg100. Thus, beer flows under pressure from the first keg 10a, into thesecond keg 10b via what would normally be the gas inlet passage throughits keg adapter, from keg 10b into keg 10c again via the gas inletpassage of its keg adapter and ultimately to faucet 30. The enlargedflow passages through the coupler and keg adapter, particularly the gaspassages through openings 50, along the grooves 52 and through theopening 64, permit use of the present tapping unit for seriesinstallations.

A coating of plastic material, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 7 maybe provided about sleeve 46. The keg adapter may thus be force fittedinto the keg opening with the coating precluding ingress of beer betweenthe walls of the opening and the keg adapter.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrativeand not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; said keg adapter including a gas passage bypassingsaid liquid passage and said liquid valve for transmitting gas throughthe keg adapter from the outside to the inside of the keg, a normallyclosed gas valve in said gas passage, said body including a centralopening adjacent the outer end of said keg adapter and forming a portionof one of said passages, a pair of valve actuating elements each havingportions disposed in said central opening and movable in a generallyaxial direction from a normally disposed first position to a secondposition, and means coupling said valve elements to said valves foropening said valves in response to movement of said elements from saidfirst position to said second position.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at leasta portion of each of said liquid and gas passages is radially offsetfrom the central axis of said keg adapter, said elements lying in partin said offset passage portions.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a gas check valve disposedin said gas passage adjacent its inner end to preclude flow of liquidinto said passage.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gas check valve includesa closed flexible envelope in communication with said gas passage, saidenvelope having an elongated slit formed through a wall thereof forpermitting ingress of gas into the keg.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 including an elongated siphon tube incommunication with said liquid passage said body having a lateral extentat each axial position therealong less than the diameter of the kegopening whereby said adapter body is receivable within the keg openingfrom without the keg.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said keg adapter includes aflange about the outer portion of said adapter body, said flange havinga diameter greater than the diameter of the keg opening, means forreleasably securing said keg adapter in said keg opening including afirst externally threaded ring engageable below the keg flange and asecond ring having an inwardly directed flange and an internallythreaded depending skirt portion for threaded engagement with saidsecond ring whereby said adapter flange is releasably clamped betweensaid second ring flange and the keg flange upon threaded engagement ofsaid first and second rings.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said position, said liquidpassage and said liquid valve for transmitting gas through the kegadapter from the outside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gasvalve in said gas passage, one of said passages including a centralopening adjacent the outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valveactuating elements having portions disposed in said central opening andmovable from a normally disposed first position to a second position,and means coupling said valve elements to said valves for opening saidvalves in response to movement of said elements from said first positionto said second position, said liquid and gas valves being axiallyofi'set one from the other along said keg adapter.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the iongitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in saidgas passage, one of said passages including a central opening adjacentthe outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elementshaving portions disposed in said central opening and movable from anormally disposed first position to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, said tubular element comprising a portion of saidliquid passage, means for biasing said tubular element into said firstposition and retaining said tubular element in said liquid passage, saidtubular element being movable axially inwardly against the bias of saidbiasing means into said second position to open said liquid valve, saidliquid and gas valves being axially offset one from the other along saidkeg adapter.

9. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in saidgas passage, one of said passages including a central opening adjacentthe outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elementshaving portions disposed in said central opening and movable from anormally disposed first posi tion to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, means carried by said coupler and movable into a firstposition for normally sealing one of said passages through said couplerand into a second position providing for open communication through saidone passage, and means for moving said sealing means from said firstposition to said second position in response to securing movement ofsaid coupler toward said keg adapter.

10. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterizedin that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in saidgas passage, one of said passages including a central opening adjacentthe outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elementshaving portions disposed in said central opening and movable from anormally disposed first position to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, one of said passages including a plurality of openingscircumferentially spaced one from the other radially outwardly of saidcentral opening.

11. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in saidgas passage, one of said passages including a central opening adjacentthe outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elementshaving portions disposed in said central opening and movable from anormally disposed first position to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, at least a portion of each of said liquid and gaspassages being radially offset from the central axis of said kegadapter, said gas passage including a plurality of openingscircumferentially spaced one from the other radially outwardly of saidcentral opening, means providing for communication between said openingsand said offset gas passage portion, said gas valve and its associatedgas passage portion being disposed radially inwardly of said offset gaspassage portion, and means providing for communication between saidoffset gas passage portion and the gas passage portion containing saidgas valve.

12. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gaspassage bypassing said liquid passage and saidliquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in sad gas passage, oneof said passages including a central opening adjacent the outer end ofsaid keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elements having portionsdisposed in said central opening and movable from a normally disposedfirst position to a second position, and means coupling said valveelements to said valves for opening said valves in response to movementof said elements from said first position to said second position, oneof said actuating elements including an axially movable stem, sealingmeans between said stem and said body in said gas passage outwardly ofsaid gas valve to maintain said liquid and said gas passages throughsaid keg adapter segregated one from the other.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 including means in said gas passageand outwardly of said gas valve for sealing about said gasvalve-actuating element to maintain said liquid and gas passagessegregated one from the other.

14. Apparatus according to claim I, wherein at least a portion of eachof said liquid and gas passages is radially offset from the central axisof said keg adapter, said gas passage including a portion spacedradially outwardly of said central opening and opening through the outerend portion of said adapter, means providing for communication betweensaid radially outward and offset gas passage portions, said gas valveand its associated gas passage portion being disposed radially inwardlyof said radially offset passage portion, means providing forcommunication between said radially offset passage portion and the gaspassage portion containing said gas valve, and means in said gas passageportion outwardly of said gas valve for sealing about said gas valveactuating element to maintain said liquid and gas passages segregatedone from the other.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one of said actuatingelements includes a tubular member, the valve associated with said oneactuating element including a valve seat and a valve sealing element,said tubular element being movable from said first position locatingsaid valve seat and said valve-sealing element in sealing engagement onewith the other into said second position locating said valve seat andsaid valve-sealing element in spaced relation one from the other topermit fluid communication through the associated passage.

16. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said gas valve is carried bysaid stern, means for biasing said stem to maintain the valve carriedthereby in a normally closed position, said sealing means beingoperative to maintain the seal between said stem and said body in boththe open and closed positions of said as valve,

l7. pparatus according to claim 1 together with a coupler unit havingliquid and gas passages therethrough, one of said passages terminatingadjacent the inner end of said coupler in a tubular probe receivablewithin said central opening, means for releasably securing said couplerunit to said keg adapter with said tubular probe being receivable insaid central opening in said adapter body for moving said actuatingelements from said first to said second position.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein one of said actuatingelements includes a tubular member, the valve associated with said oneactuating element including a valve seat and a valve-sealing element,said tubular element being movable from said first position locatingsaid valve seat and said valve-sealing element in sealing engagement onewith the other into said second locating second position locating saidvalve seat and said valve-sealing element in spaced relation one fromthe other in response to insertion of said probe within said centralopening to permit fluid communication between said tubular probe and thekeg through said tubular element.

UNITED STA'IES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CURRECTIGN Patent No. 3,632,023 Dated January 4, 1972 Inventor(s) Mack S Johnston It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Column 1, line 20, "Pat. No. 3,439,884" should read --Pat. No.3,439,844--; in line 29, "a" should read -as--.

In Column 2, line 43, "equality" should read -quality--.

In Column 3, line 9, "coupling" should read --uncoupling--.

In Column 4, line 27, "a" should read --an--; in line 29, and" shouldread --end--; line 54, "a" should read --an--; line 57, "74 and a least"should read --47 and at least--; line 57 "form" should read --from-- InColumn 5, line 48, "entire reel" should read --entire ty--; line 55,"tub" should read --tube- 4 In Column 6, line 5, "a enlarged" shouldread --an enlarged--; line 63, "an" should read --a--. I q

In Column 7, line 14, "are" should read --arm--; line 21, "secure"should read--secured--; line 26, "IT" should read --It--; line 51,"lien" should read --line--; line 72, "pressure" should read--passage--.

In Column 8, line 39, "leg" should read --keg--.

In Col. 9, line 50, Claim 7, "said position, said"-should read --said--4 In Col. 11, line 26, Claim 12 "outside" should read --outside to theinside--; same line, "sad" should read --said--.

In Col.l2, line 7, Claim 14, "passage portion" should read --passage--;line 41, Claim 18, "second locating second" should I read --second--.

Signed and sealed this 5th day of December 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCI-IER,J'R. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting OfficerCommissioner of Patents ORM PC4050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 603764- 9 'U S,GOVERNMHN: PPIHT N" OFFICE 1 1'69 0*1166'334

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within The keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; said keg adapter including a gas passage bypassingsaid liquid passage and said liquid valve for transmitting gas throughthe keg adapter from the outside to the inside of the keg, a normallyclosed gas valve in said gas passage, said body including a centralopening adjacent the outer end of said keg adapter and forming a portionof one of said passages, a pair of valve actuating elements each havingportions disposed in said central opening and movable in a generallyaxial direction from a normally disposed first position to a secondposition, and means coupling said valve elements to said valves foropening said valves in response to movement of said elements from saidfirst position to said second position.
 2. A liquid dispensing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of said liquidand gas passages is radially offset from the central axis of said kegadapter, said elements lying in part in said offset passage portions. 3.Apparatus according to claim 1 including a gas check valve disposed insaid gas passage adjacent its inner end to preclude flow of liquid intosaid passage.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said gas checkvalve includes a closed flexible envelope in communication with said gaspassage, said envelope having an elongated slit formed through a wallthereof for permitting ingress of gas into the keg.
 5. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 including an elongated siphon tube in communicationwith said liquid passage said body having a lateral extent at each axialposition therealong less than the diameter of the keg opening wherebysaid adapter body is receivable within the keg opening from without thekeg.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said keg adapter includesa flange about the outer portion of said adapter body, said flangehaving a diameter greater than the diameter of the keg opening, meansfor releasably securing said keg adapter in said keg opening including afirst externally threaded ring engageable below the keg flange and asecond ring having an inwardly directed flange and an internallythreaded depending skirt portion for threaded engagement with saidsecond ring whereby said adapter flange is releasably clamped betweensaid second ring flange and the keg flange upon threaded engagement ofsaid first and second rings.
 7. A liquid dispensing apparatus adaptedfor use with a keg or like container for liquids which has top, bottomand sidewalls with an opening in one wall characterized in that itcomprises: a keg adapter including a main body adapted to be securedwithin the keg opening and having a liquid passage extending throughsaid body in the general direction of the longitudinal axis thereof forthe transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg, anormally closed valve in said liquid passage; a gas passage bypassingsaid position, said liquid passage and said liquid valve fortransmitting gas through the keg adapter from the outside to the insideof the keg, a normally closed gas valve in said gas passage, one of saidpassages including a central opening adjacent the outer end of said kegadapter, a pair of valve actuating elements having portions disposed insaid central opening and movable from a normally disposed first positionto a second position, and means coupling said valve elements to saidvalves for opening said valves in response to movement of said elementsfrom said first position to said second position, said liquid and gasvalves being axially offset one from the other along said keg adapter.8. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a keg or likecontainer for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls with anopening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterinclUding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in saidgas passage, one of said passages including a central opening adjacentthe outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elementshaving portions disposed in said central opening and movable from anormally disposed first position to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, said tubular element comprising a portion of saidliquid passage, means for biasing said tubular element into said firstposition and retaining said tubular element in said liquid passage, saidtubular element being movable axially inwardly against the bias of saidbiasing means into said second position to open said liquid valve, saidliquid and gas valves being axially offset one from the other along saidkeg adapter.
 9. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted for use with a kegor like container for liquids which has top, bottom and sidewalls withan opening in one wall characterized in that it comprises: a keg adapterincluding a main body adapted to be secured within the keg opening andhaving a liquid passage extending through said body in the generaldirection of the longitudinal axis thereof for the transfer of liquidfrom the inside to the outside of the keg, a normally closed valve insaid liquid passage; a gas passage bypassing said liquid passage andsaid liquid valve for transmitting gas through the keg adapter from theoutside to the inside of the keg, a normally closed gas valve in saidgas passage, one of said passages including a central opening adjacentthe outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuating elementshaving portions disposed in said central opening and movable from anormally disposed first position to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, means carried by said coupler and movable into a firstposition for normally sealing one of said passages through said couplerand into a second position providing for open communication through saidone passage, and means for moving said sealing means from said firstposition to said second position in response to securing movement ofsaid coupler toward said keg adapter.
 10. A liquid dispensing apparatusadapted for use with a keg or like container for liquids which has top,bottom and sidewalls with an opening in one wall characterized in thatit comprises: a keg adapter including a main body adapted to be securedwithin the keg opening and having a liquid passage extending throughsaid body in the general direction of the longitudinal axis thereof forthe transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg, anormally closed valve in said liquid passage; a gas passage bypassingsaid liquid passage and said liquid valve for transmitting gas throughthe keg adapter from the outside to the inside of the keg, a normallyclosed gas valve in said gas passage, one of said passages including acentral opening adjacent the outer end of said keg adapter, a pair ofvalve-actuating elements having portions disposed in said centralopening and movable from a normally disposed first position to a secondposition, and means coupling said valve elements to said valves foropening said valves in response to movement of said elements from saidfirst position to said second position, one of said passages including aplurality of openings circumferentially spaced one from the otherradially outwardly of said central opening.
 11. A liquid dispensingapparatus adapted for use with a keg or like container for liquids whichhas top, bottom and sidewalls with an opening in one wall characterizedin that it comprises: a keg adapter including a main body adapted to besecured within the keg opening and having a liquid passage extendingthrough said body in the general direction of the longitudinal axisthereof for the transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of thekeg, a normally closed valve in said liquid passage; a gas passagebypassing said liquid passage and said liquid valve for transmitting gasthrough the keg adapter from the outside to the inside of the keg, anormally closed gas valve in said gas passage, one of said passagesincluding a central opening adjacent the outer end of said keg adapter,a pair of valve-actuating elements having portions disposed in saidcentral opening and movable from a normally disposed first position to asecond position, and means coupling said valve elements to said valvesfor opening said valves in response to movement of said elements fromsaid first position to said second position, at least a portion of eachof said liquid and gas passages being radially offset from the centralaxis of said keg adapter, said gas passage including a plurality ofopenings circumferentially spaced one from the other radially outwardlyof said central opening, means providing for communication between saidopenings and said offset gas passage portion, said gas valve and itsassociated gas passage portion being disposed radially inwardly of saidoffset gas passage portion, and means providing for communicationbetween said offset gas passage portion and the gas passage portioncontaining said gas valve.
 12. A liquid dispensing apparatus adapted foruse with a keg or like container for liquids which has top, bottom andsidewalls with an opening in one wall characterized in that itcomprises: a keg adapter including a main body adapted to be securedwithin the keg opening and having a liquid passage extending throughsaid body in the general direction of the longitudinal axis thereof forthe transfer of liquid from the inside to the outside of the keg, anormally closed valve in said liquid passage; a gas passage bypassingsaid liquid passage and said liquid valve for transmitting gas throughthe keg adapter from the outside of the keg, a normally closed gas valvein sad gas passage, one of said passages including a central openingadjacent the outer end of said keg adapter, a pair of valve-actuatingelements having portions disposed in said central opening and movablefrom a normally disposed first position to a second position, and meanscoupling said valve elements to said valves for opening said valves inresponse to movement of said elements from said first position to saidsecond position, one of said actuating elements including an axiallymovable stem, sealing means between said stem and said body in said gaspassage outwardly of said gas valve to maintain said liquid and said gaspassages through said keg adapter segregated one from the other. 13.Apparatus according to claim 11 including means in said gas passage andoutwardly of said gas valve for sealing about said gas valve-actuatingelement to maintain said liquid and gas passages segregated one from theother.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion ofeach of said liquid and gas passages is radially offset from the centralaxis of said keg adapter, said gas passage including a portion spacedradially outwardly of said central opening and opening through the outerend portion of said adapter, means providing for communication betweensaid radially outward and offset gas passage portions, said gas valveand its associated gas passage portion being disposed radially inwardlyof said radially offset passage portion, means providing forcommunication between said radially offset passage portion and the gaspassage portion containing said gas valve, and means in said gas passageportion outwardly of said gas valve for sealing about said gas valveactuating element to maintain said liquid and gas passages segregatedone from the other.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein one ofsaid actuating elements includes a tubular member, the valve associatedwith said one actuating element including a valve seat and a valvesealing element, said tubular element being movable from said firstposition locating said valve seat and said valve-sealing element insealing engagement one with the other into said second position locatingsaid valve seat and said valve-sealing element in spaced relation onefrom the other to permit fluid communication through the associatedpassage.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said gas valve iscarried by said stem, means for biasing said stem to maintain the valvecarried thereby in a normally closed position, said sealing means beingoperative to maintain the seal between said stem and said body in boththe open and closed positions of said gas valve.
 17. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 together with a coupler unit having liquid and gas passagestherethrough, one of said passages terminating adjacent the inner end ofsaid coupler in a tubular probe receivable within said central opening,means for releasably securing said coupler unit to said keg adapter withsaid tubular probe being receivable in said central opening in saidadapter body for moving said actuating elements from said first to saidsecond position.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein one of saidactuating elements includes a tubular member, the valve associated withsaid one actuating element including a valve seat and a valve-sealingelement, said tubular element being movable from said first positionlocating said valve seat and said valve-sealing element in sealingengagement one with the other into said second locating second positionlocating said valve seat and said valve-sealing element in spacedrelation one from the other in response to insertion of said probewithin said central opening to permit fluid communication between saidtubular probe and the keg through said tubular element.